harfman77

QUOTE (witesoxfan @ Jul 24, 2014 -> 11:45 AM) It's hard for me to consider Beckham a bust of a draft pick considering he made it to the majors and has been a steady contributor when you are comparing him to guys like Jared Mitchell, Kyle McCulloch, Lance Broadway, Kris Honel, and Jason Stumm. As a prospect, yes, but a lot of those first rounders never even got close to Beckham's status as a prospect. EDIT: Given everything, I think Joe Borchard is the biggest draft bust in the franchise's history. I think Danny Goodwin reigns as the biggest draft mistake.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jul 24, 2014 -> 10:24 AM) Theo Epstein was complaining that the Cardinals got one, and I completely agree with him. They might be one of the best ran organizations ran in the league with a huge fan base, yet awarded picks like this. They do more with less, they should not be penalized for operating efficiently.

QUOTE (LDF @ Jul 24, 2014 -> 10:19 AM) that is one problem again I have but was waiting for another time to bring it up. the question is, how do they determine who gets these picks. I am not saying giving picks is wrong, but how is it determine. Pool A is the smallest 15 markets. Pool B is the teams from pool A plus the teams with the 10 lowest revenue pools (most are duplicative). The Cardinals are just really well run and have a lot of diehard supporters for a team in a market of that size. St Louis is listed 58th in population in the US and is the second smallest city to have a baseball team, behind Cincinnati.

I like Quintana a lot, but I would move in the right deal tomorrow. The Cardinals are looking for a SP and are said to be looking at all options, a deal for a few of their ML ready guys would really push this team through the rebuild and into contention next season. The return would be crazy high to get a deal done but I would be receptive to dealing him.

The results from the draft lottery: Competitive Balance Round A 32. Marlins 33. Rockies 34. Cardinals 35. Brewers 36. Padres 37. Indians Competitive Balance Round B - between rounds 2 and 3 Reds Athletics Mariners Twins Orioles Diamondbacks

QUOTE (GreenSox @ Jul 23, 2014 -> 01:31 PM) We might be able to get more for Danks this time next year, if he's pitching well. But, yes, trade Alexei. There has been nothing on Alexei being traded. There are not many teams in contention with a need at SS, so I think he ends the season on the Sox.

QUOTE (Eminor3rd @ Jul 23, 2014 -> 01:04 PM) I truly believe that if we move Danks, we're all going to be disappointed with the return. Unless moving his contract will truly open up the door to a big acquisition, I think he's more valuable to us as a relatively stable back-end rotation piece (in a rotation that includes Scott Carroll) than he is to any other team as a rotation plug. Trades are fun, but if I'm being honest with myself, I think we should just keep him. The return definitely has to offset the loss of a quality starting pitcher. Danks has continued to improve as he has recovered from his surgery and may not be at his post-surgery ceiling yet. He is a pretty good option as a #3 and a really outstanding option as a #4 if the Sox can add a quality RHSP somewhere in the mix. I agree, we should hang onto him unless someone is willing to overpay, he still represents a solid source of future production for the Sox.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 08:07 PM) Wonder how much Despaigne will fetch on the open market, when/if he's declared eligible...? By all accounts, he's the best, most-polished hitter out there among the Cubans. Moncada is the most interesting younger prospect, along with Tomas. Frederich Cepeda at 34/35 is just a bit too old. Gourriel's closing in on too old, although there would still be a lot of legit interest if he ever became available. From everything I read, it does not seem like Depsaigne has any interest in playing in the US. His family is supposedly very involved in the Cuban government. Despaigne is heading to Japan next I believe as part of the loosening of restrictions to allow Cuban players to play in other countries. Moacada unfortunately will end up with the Yankees as he counts against the international signing bonus limit and they will not likely have much competition.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Jul 23, 2014 -> 08:02 AM) Just a guess but if Dunn has not been traded come august, he will be released to allow for a Wilkins call up. I can't see the Sox doing this. If Dunn were a locker room cancer or something perhaps they would eat the money to get him out of the locker room, but by all accounts he is a stand-up guy and well liked in the clubhouse. There is the possibility that the Sox may re-sign him at the end of the season as well, so I am not sure they want to sever the relationship in that way.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 05:28 PM) Eaton has been quite solid in CF this year defensively so there's no legit reason to push him to the side as of now. No, not as of now, but if they sign Castillo, there does become a reason as Castillo is viewed as a plus defender in CF.

QUOTE (StRoostifer @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 02:49 PM) Right but the pen will only build up so much arm strength. He very well may need a majority of the 2015 season or longer for his whole body to adjust to the workload of more starts and a longer season. I'm just trying to keep my expectations in check. He was plenty overworked this season, he threw 98.2 innings in college this season already and with some pretty high pitch counts in a few outings. Throwing every 5 days will help him get on schedule and still finish the season at around 130 IP.

QUOTE (scs787 @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 02:46 PM) Where are they gonna spend the money? Again, even with Danks and Lexi staying around the payroll after arbitration will probably be much less than 60M. Unless they plan on starting Rodon right out the gate. Why do they need to spend money? Spend it to make a difference, not just for the sake of spending it. Leave the payroll space open to absorb a contract in a trade or to fill a final gap when the team is ready to contend. There are a couple international free agents that could fill in the hole in LF, but the team still needs to find upgrades in the rotation, C, and fill the hold that is created at DH after this season.

QUOTE (peavy44 @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 02:25 PM) Then u go to 5 years No way, then you say have fun with your 38 year old pitcher making $20M.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 12:19 PM) Yankees get Chase Headley for Solarte and Depaula Seems like they should have held out for a little more. Interesting all these deals getting done for the Padres while they are without a GM.

QUOTE (peavy44 @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 02:19 PM) No way 4 years 60-75 million for james shields I think the Sox could bid that, but Shields will hold out for someone to guarantee that extra year. And the way contracts have gone recently, he will almost assuredly get $20M+ AAV.

I can't see a Shields deal happening. The Sox will have to give the Royals their first round pick and there will be too many other teams in the running. The Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, Royals, Mets, and maybe the Rangers will all be in on him. I don't see the Sox winning a bidding war especially because he will likely end up getting something like $125M over 5 years.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 02:00 PM) But of course, that spot would in theory be easier to fill than a corner OF spot. It depends what happens with the two Cubans, the Sox are said to have interest in Rusney Castillo, which would push Eaton to a corner, but there is also Yasmani Tomas, a 23 year old corner outfielder with 70 power.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 01:58 PM) I don't agree with this. The White Flag trade was hated for the immediate impact it would have on a team that would was in the playoff race. I doubt many fans were concerned with the future of Mike Caruso rather than the lost hope of playoff baseball. At the time yes, but if Caruso and Manning push the 2000 team into a World Series win, all would have been forgiven and it would have been seen as a tough move but one that ultimately payed off.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 01:53 PM) That's interesting idea but Brown is a worse defender than Viciedo I believe. Hes bad, but we do have a vacant DH spot next season.

QUOTE (raBBit @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 01:51 PM) It's scary thinking about the payroll without Danks. Hahn would have basically a clean slate to work with. The Sox have their three insane values in Sale/Abreu/Quitnana (15.667 M), Alexei (10 M) and and a whole bunch of rookie contracts/arbitration guys. If the Sox trade Danks in the next 9 days the team will go into the offseason with their fourth highest paid player (after Alexei, Abreu and Sale) being Jeff Keppinger. Abreu will only be cheap a couple of seasons though as he will almost assuredly opt out of his deal after he reaches Super 2 status, so need to set a payroll block aside to try and extend him.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 01:48 PM) And there you have the reason why the Sox can never do a Cubs style rebuild. White Flag was 17 years ago. Biggest problem from the White Flag was the prospects that received back never turned into anything more than bullpen help. If one of those position players would have worked out, the deal would have forgotten long ago.

QUOTE (peavy44 @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 01:41 PM) u can trade danks in offseason and get alot more Thats not true. Waiting until the off-season floods the market with other trade options and FA alternatives, selling at the trade deadline limits the supply of solid pitching which increases the return. There are six teams in front of the Sox for the WC and Tampa and Boston are starting to come on. I would not sacrifice the future competitiveness of the franchise by rolling the dice on an snowballs chance at a one game playoff.

QUOTE (TheTruth05 @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 01:33 PM) Am i crazy to think that Wilkins should be brought up since he's having a good year, so that even if they don't trade Dunn, he could platoon with Dunn the rest of the year, just to give Wilkins his cup of coffee? Wilkins can be given a shot after Dunn is dealt, help limit some of the wear on Abreu by playing in the field everyday since he is used to a 90 game season. But short of that, I don't see him getting a shot this year.

QUOTE (SoxPride18 @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 01:11 PM) Yeah, I still think the Mariners would be the best fit for Viciedo. I personally think of change of scenery deal with Domonic Brown makes a lot of sense. Sox are going to need some LH power after Dunn leaves in the off-season. Brown is a year older and both are due for FA in 2018.

QUOTE (Andy the Clown @ Jul 22, 2014 -> 12:07 PM) Get serious. Jared Mitchell for Mason Williams.